Asymptomatic or Not?

[Hot Rod Harry]

My cardiologist has been good about making a referal to the Cleveland Clinic, with just the symptoms that I am showing, such as tightness, shortness of breath, tired all the time. Other than that I feel healthy, but I dont want to wait until I start to show major problems before doing something about it.

Get a second opinion.

 

[ponytaila1a]

Braveheart.....if you don't hear from CC don't hesitate to call them. Like you...I have family near Cleveland and wanted to have my surgery there. But sometimes I find the "clerical support" is very busy and you have to call them. I had what I considered "no symptomes" felt that walking up a slight grade and was winded that I was "just getting old" when I worked out at the "old lady place" Curves....my heart rate would go up to 150 and not come down for hours.....again I thought "I'm out of shape"
I was in Ohio visiting my son and went to a GYN who heard a murmur...on to a PCP and then a Cardio....who said "you need surgery right now" "we have a window " in which to work.....I asked to wait until Spring as I could not see my husband and I functioning in the snow.....I "only" have the mitral valve problem...I have been to CC for the pretesting and met the surgeon.....I am so glad I did!! Call them if you don't hear soon.

 

[Braveheart]

ponytail- They said that it takes 3 weeks to review materials. That time is the end of this week. I don't want to bug them prematurely. If I don't hear from them by Friday, I will be on the phone first thing next Monday morning.

 

[ponytaila1a]

Opps! Sorry I had not heard the three weeks thing....but that seems to be about how long it was from the time the cardio said he sent the records until I heard. He sent them in late September of last year.....that was when they moved into their new building if I am thinking correctly....I thought that increased the time for me. Did you request an appointment or just an opinion? The weather is "temporarily" nice here...won't be too bad if you have to come North!

 

[Braveheart]

ponytail- I had first talked with one of the staff at the hospital. I told her that I wanted the procedure, and even mentioned a doctor that I preferrred, although the more that I learn, the more that I realize that there are a lot of great doctors at CC.

Funny that you mention weather. I told the staff person that I would like the procedure in June. Weather has everything to do with it.

When my son was younger, lived up north and was having marital problems, I said to him that he should please reserve his crises from April to October, if he needed me to come up there!

 

[COLLEEN S]

Let me just say, the longer you wait, the bigger the percentage of 'something to go wrong ' becomes. I had my aneurysm surgery at 7cms and they said that if I had it done at 4 cms the probability of complications decreases significantly. Too bad my cardiologist never told me that " aortic root, dilated 4 cms) meant an ANEURYSM! It grew to 7cms in less than 2 years, I became symtomatic, and alas, had the more risky surgery done.
Best to you and yours!

 

[Megan]

this all sounds like me- i have for the past three years been asking myself if i was having heart symptoms or life symptoms. even today- im still asking . i get a little short of breath, have some weird vibrations occasionall, and im REALLY tired -espe in the afternoons, but its all so fleeting .. at hte same time, my mean gradient is now 43 and my peak 98 with valve area of .5! so im severely severe i guess but ican still carry my kids around, do my chores, have fun with friends and live pretty normal...maybe because im short my heart has accomodated my life. this is common i htink. but i agree with the majority here...the time to act is now- before the walls of the heart thicken or enlarge, before the symptoms become definitive heart symptoms and not just easily explained away by stress or exercise.

 

[Braveheart]

Megan- From what I have learned, apparently you ARE in the severely severe stage. What does your cardio say? Have you made plans for a procedure? What are you waiting for?

 

[Braveheart]

Well................I called the Cleveland Clinic this morning. Dr. Sabik has looked at my materials. He thinks that I am right on the borderline. CC will make an appointment for me in June (which was when I wanted) for an evaluation. They will pencil in a tentative surgery date. After having the evaluation, they will decide if now is the appropriate time for the surgery, and if so, will do it.

I am very happy about this, but am a bit discombobbulated, because it alll has not quite sunk in yet. I figure that I can't get a better opinion than the head of the department. If HE thinks that I am not ready, I will shut my mouth and wait. I think that I will be able to convince him though. I can be rather persuasive when I want to be.

 

[ponytaila1a]

Good news Braveheart.....talking to the surgeon can be a very calming experience....one thing....they "penciled in a date for me (April 16) last November......when I received the schedule they had pretesting on 4/6 with surgery on the 16th as was penciled in. When I arrived for the consult the surgeon said "I don't know who gave you that date, but I am not in town that day"......I guess no one checked before sending the info. In November when they gave me the date he most likely had not made his plans for April. Just be sure to double check them if you are going to have the surgery. I did not ask enough questions BEFORE I came to Ohio from FL

 

[Braveheart]

ponytail- Thanks for the "heads up". I certainly would not want to travel to Ohio for naught, even though it is probably beautiful in June!

 

[Megan]

Braveheart: im not waiting- i have a date of may 28th! but my cardiologist said that because my symptoms just started and i have excellent left ventricular function and the wall thickness is almost normal- i had a small window of opportunity so that it doesnt have to be done yesterday. in any event, one month from yesterday! good luck with your visit to cleveland and keep us posted!

 

[Braveheart]

Megan- I am so glad. I didn't realize that you had already made plans. A month will go by in the blink of an eye.

 

[Braveheart]

I spoke again with CC. I had said that I wanted to come there in late June. They said that I will be called by next week, because they are still working on appointments for people who want earlier dates.

 

[pamela]

Hi, One thing you need to remember is that our cardiologists are heart specialists who try to cure or lessen cardiac disease. The only cure for valve stenosis is surgical intervention. You don't see a cardiologist for surgery just as you wouldn't ask your surgeon to care for inoperable cardiomyopathy. They have different jobs.

 

[pamela]

I just read this last post BH. I wish you well on the coming journey.

Take Heart. Pamela.

 

[Braveheart]

Well...............Just got the call from C.C. I have a date with the cardio, pre-op, labs, etc. on June 29th. If it is a go, the surgery will be on July 1st.

I am so excited. My husband is out trimming some palm fronds, and doesn't even know yet!

 

[ottagal]

I hear a sense of relief, Braveheart. So glad you have a date set! Sending positve thoughts and best wishes to you!

 

[Kim B]

Best wishes to you for an uneventful surgery on July 1.

 

[Bina]

The hardest part is done.....you have a date. Good stuff.